Margate in the 1950s
There was considerable publicity heralding the re-opening of Dreamland on 19th June ten years after it had closed. The long campaign to save the amusement park, which claims to be Britain’s oldest dating back to the 1920s, was magnificent. It managed to see off property developers, Tesco’s plans for a superstore on the adjacent site and arson attacks that damaged the Grade 11 listed scenic railway.
The fine Georgian architecture around Margate’s Hawley Square, built for the gentry in 1762, reveal its wealthy past. In the post war period it became a popular holiday resort and day trip destination for the workers from London. Margate’s heyday was the 1950s when only the extremely wealthy could afford a foreign holiday. The restoration of Dreamland is an evocation of that period. My 1950 copy of Ward Lock’s guide to North East Kent only has a short description:
“Dreamland Park, where Margate is at its merriest. From skating rink, to skittle alley and from “joy wheel” to miniature and scenic railways, all the fun of the fair is found here.”
I visited on the 26th June and from across the bay I could see that the “joy wheel” was not turning. Undeterred I carried on with my quest to visit Dreamland. The banners flying from the lamp posts in the new corporate colours lead you along the wide sandy bay to the fun palace.
Impressive retro branding for the latest attraction. The outside of the distinctive entrance still needs quite a lot of work. Posters of images from the 50s and 60s illustrate good old vintage fun.
A small notice on the door confirmed that Dreamland was closed but would be open again at the weekend. Close by me were a group of disappointed teenagers who had come on a day trip from London and were not happy. Armed with my camera I walked around the perimeter trying to get a glimpse of the rides.
My day wasn’t a complete waste as there was a very good Grayson Perry exhibition at the Turner Contemporary. Margate still has that down at heel feel once you get out of the old town but I hope that Dreamland will be another attraction that contributes to its transformation.
thamesfacingeast 
7 comments
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June 28, 2015 at 3:49 pm
Alex Cochrane
Dreamland sounds like a great part of Margate’s transformation, so much better than yet another drab Tescos. I really hope it is a success. Rather jealous of the Grayson Perry exhibition!
June 29, 2015 at 5:32 pm
thamesfacing
Totally agree. Coastal towns are a real problem and it’s interesting to see how different areas are tackling the problem.
June 28, 2015 at 9:23 pm
runner500
Would echo Alex’s comments. Margate has become a rather depressing place in the years since the wheel stopped turning and fertile ground for UKIP. It needs to find a new niche for itself but whether Dreamland and the Turner Contemporary Art Gallery and Dreamland really complement each other and will help the regeneration of Margate only time will tell.
June 29, 2015 at 5:32 pm
thamesfacing
I think it’s going to take a long time. It’s a big place and parts are really run down. Hope it succeeds though. As an island nation we need to sort out our coastal towns.
September 25, 2015 at 7:00 pm
David Kinnear
The photo is of Broadstairs not Margate – love the site
October 4, 2015 at 7:07 pm
thamesfacing
I bought that photo in a junk shop in Margate and it is stamped Margate on the back.
October 5, 2015 at 5:26 pm
David Kinnear
No problem it’s a really good picture. Went to Dreamland back in August with my family it was great. Margate is looking so much better.